Rick Mayer
Digital ProducerI’m the online producer for Health News Florida, a collaboration of public radio stations and NPR that delivers news about health care issues.
This is an important position at WUSF. In 2019, the typical U.S. family spent about 11 percent of its annual income on health care, so it stands to reason issues of cost, quality, access and innovation are consequential to all Floridians. Then COVID-19 came along, and the weight of these matters gained exponentially. I take our reporting on these topics quite seriously, as I’m sure you do, too.
Literally growing up in newsrooms and a little serendipity along the way prepared me well for the post. Here’s the abridged version: I’m a Tampa guy, graduating from H.B. Plant High and thrust into the world with my USF degree rolled tightly in hand. From there, it was three mostly sleepless decades as an editor at The Tampa Tribune, then developing and managing an online journal serving physician executives. There’s also my side job editing a statewide health magazine.
And being married to a longtime hospital nurse/case manager helps; dinner conversation often gives me a feel of what’s happening on the front lines. The good and not-so-good.
Of course, my time isn’t always spent flailing in the health news vortex. You’re actually more likely to find me breaking down the Bucs, Bulls or Bolts after a game, taking Oodle the poodle to the dog park or tinkering the backroom piano while vicariously reliving my former life as a musician. (Remember, kids: Parents of percussionists have plenty of patience. Plenty!)
Contact Rick on X @rmayer2361 or by email at Mayer1@wusf.org.
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Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon was dismissed days after he was involved in the indictment of a St. Petersburg man in a major fraud case. Congresswoman Kathy Castor called the firing “potential political retaliation." -
Lowe and Aranda learned Sunday that they won the player vote at their positions and are slated to participate in the July 15 showcase at Atlanta's Truist Park. Caminero was added Tuesday as a replacement. -
Keep an eye on the radar for July 4 plans, as chances improve for a tropical system off the AtlanticMore on-and-off storms mean the holiday will be wet but not a complete washout. Meantime, low pressure over Florida has a high chance of development over the weekend. -
The dispute over Broward Health's reimbursment demands continues after the previous contract ended Tuesday. Florida Blue said more than 17,000 customers have been notified of the change. -
The "critically missing" youths, ages 9 to 17, are receiving treatment and housing after Operation Dragon Eye, a two-week initiative involving federal, state and local law enforcement and organizations. -
With the team negotiating a deal that would make relocation unlikely, the lawyer and investor in the Orlando Dreamers says "the Tampa area does not compare with Orange County" for baseball. -
The Rays confirmed that they have begun exclusive discussions with a group led by billionaire Patrick Zalupski that also includes unspecified Tampa Bay investors. The local involvement could mean the team stays in the region. -
Attorney General James Uthmeier says Contac Medical Supply and its Miami-based reseller sold devices that secretly sent sensitive health data to China. -
Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte and Houston are also in the rollout. At the destination, the drone lowers the products by tether, then returns to the launch area at the store. -
The investment firm that took control of the regional airline after a failed bankruptcy auction made the decision to close. Customers were urged to get refunds through credit card and travel agencies.
